Tourmaline is a beautiful, versatile semi-precious gemstone that is used for making a wide variety of jewelry, including engagement rings. What sets it apart from a lot of other gemstones is its uniqueness and more importantly, its seemingly endless varieties. If you decide to buy tourmaline jewelry, you will surely be spoiled for choice trying to pick one. But don’t fret because we are here to help you with that. We have made a list of a few important things that you need to keep in mind when buying any type of tourmaline jewelry, whether it is a sterling silver tourmaline ring or a tourmaline necklace.

Types of tourmaline

Tourmaline is a group of minerals, which is why it has such a wide range of colors. In fact, it is available in more colors and hues than any other precious or semi-precious gemstone. While it is not possible for us to discuss every type of tourmaline in detail, here are some of the most popular varieties that you can choose from:

• Indicolite (blue)
• Watermelon (green and red)
• Chrome (green)
• Canary (yellow)
• Rubellite (red)

Cut and clarity

Tourmaline cuts are as varied as their color and types, but the most popular cut is usually rectangular and narrow. You can find it in numerous other traditional cuts such as rounds, triangles, and ovals. Simple cabochon-cut tourmalines are also widely used in jewelry making.

Price

Depending on the quality as well as the color or variety of the gemstone, the price of tourmaline can significantly vary. The prices of some varieties, such as Paraíba tourmalines, can go up as high as tens of thousands of dollars per carat. But there are also tourmaline varieties that you can buy for less than $1000 per carat.